Editing KVSC (section)

==History==
Before the creation of KVSC, students at St. Cloud State University had no on-campus outlet radio broadcasting. That changed in 1960 with the formation of the university's radio guild, which marked SCSU's first foray into radio. The guild produced pre-recorded programming in campus studios for airplay on [[WJON]] (1240 AM). However, as members began developing content that didn't align with WJON's Sunday evening campus show, interest in an independent station grew. Recognizing the rising demand among students, the university moved to establish its own broadcasting facility.<ref name="Anna Kurth">{{cite web |author=Anna Kurth |date=April 26, 2017 |title=KVSC celebrates 50 years |url=https://today.stcloudstate.edu/2017/04/26/kvsc-celebrates-50-years |work=St. Cloud State Today}}</ref> The University was granted a license and construction permit from the [[Federal Communications Commission]] in 1966.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=St. Cloud State University |date=1971-04-20 |title=The Chronicle [April 20, 1971] |url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/chron/324/ |journal=Chronicle}}</ref>

KVSC first began broadcasting at 88.5 MHz operations as a 10-watt, Class D [[broadcast]] facility on Wednesday, May 10, 1967.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/33418149/radio-tv-experimenter-1967-10-11|date=October 11, 1967|page=122|work=White's Radio Log|title=Radio-TV-Experimenter-1967-10-11}}</ref> With a limited broadcast range of just 10 to 12 miles, the station was intended to serve the immediate St. Cloud area. Its call letters - KVSC -  were chosen to represent "''The Voice of Saint Cloud''." Funded primarily through student activity fees and the St. Cloud State University Department of [[Mass Communications]], the station operated on a modest budget, requiring minimal external support beyond equipment purchases and repairs. Co-supervised by Mass Communications Department co-founder E. Scott Bryce and faculty coordinator Garry Hawkins, KVSC named Andy J. Marlow as its first Student General Manager.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=St. Cloud State University |date=1967-05-12 |title=The Chronicle [May 12, 1967] |url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/chron/1483/ |journal=Chronicle}}</ref>[[File:Woman broadcasts at KVSC, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minnesota - DPLA - 8b171eca360d12c901b82eefcec25980.jpg|left|thumb|Rita Kremer broadcasts at KVSC, St. Cloud State University, 1967-1968]]

KVSC initially operated with limited broadcast hours, airing only during the academic year. Its original music format was predominantly [[Classical music|classical]], with smaller portions of [[Traditional pop|pop]], [[jazz]], [[Folk music|folk]] and [[Musical theatre|musical theater]] woven into the schedule.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2491&context=chron|date=May 12, 1967|work=The College Chronicle|title=Radio Station KVSC 'On The Air;' Will Broadcast Through June 2|page=1}}</ref> The station also featured [[Radio documentary|audio documentaries]], [[News broadcasting|news segments]], [[Sports commentator|sports commentary]] and re-broadcasts of [[Serial (radio and television)|serials]] from [[Golden Age of Radio|The Golden Age of Radio]]. In 1969, KVSC started broadcasting a condensed version of its programming over summer months.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=St. Cloud State University |date=1969-06-19 |title=The Chronicle [June 19, 1969] |url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/chron/1617/ |journal=Chronicle}}</ref> By the mid-1970s, KVSC had shifted to a [[Progressive rock (radio format)|progressive rock radio format]], reflecting a broader transformation in college radio trends.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=St. Cloud State University |date=1973-11-16 |title=The Chronicle [November 16, 1973] |url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/chron/1769/ |journal=Chronicle}}</ref> 

Throughout the 1970s, KVSC made multiple attempts to increase its broadcast power. Approval was finally secured in 1981, and, on February 8, 1983, the station moved to 88.1 MHz and boosted its output to 5,200 watts. This upgrade elevated KVSC to a Class C2 operation, licensed to operate 20 hours per day. However, the increased power led to interference with local television signals. Just over one month later, St. Cloud State University voluntarily reduced KVSC's output power to 1,300 watts pending a long-term solution.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&context=comm_newsletters |work=[[St. Cloud State University]] Department of Mass Communications Newsletter |title=Communique [Fall 1980] |date=November 1980 |page=2}}</ref> 

As KVSC's signal reached a broader audience, its programming also evolved. In 1983, the station adopted the slogan "Your Sound Alternative", highlighting its support of the emerging [[college rock]] scene. However, the station's programming wasn't unanimously viewed positively. A student-submitted letter published in the April 19 issue of the [[St. Cloud State University|St. Cloud State University Chronicle]], titled "KVSC Format Needs Change; Music Reflects Slide in Morals," criticized the station's direction.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=St. Cloud State University |date=1983-04-19 |title=The Chronicle [April 19, 1983] |url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/chron/2357/ |journal=Chronicle}}</ref> Rebuttals followed in the April 22 and 26 editions, with two KVSC staff members stating opposing positions to the letter.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=St. Cloud State University |date=1983-04-22 |title=The Chronicle [April 22, 1983] |url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/chron/2358/ |journal=Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=St. Cloud State University |date=1983-04-26 |title=The Chronicle [April 26, 1983] |url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/chron/2359/ |journal=Chronicle}}</ref> The debate drew widespread attention, leading to a surge in student attendance at radio guild meetings. Tensions mounted, and university administration were eventually called in to mediate.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=St. Cloud State University |date=1983-11-11 |title=The Chronicle [November 11, 1983] |url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/chron/2393/ |journal=Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=St. Cloud State University |date=1983-12-20 |title=The Chronicle [December 20, 1983] |url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/chron/2397/ |journal=Chronicle}}</ref>  

On June 18, 1984, General Manager Neil Thelen and Student General Manager Chris Mitchell implemented a [[Contemporary hit radio|Top 40 radio]] format. This change led to internal upheaval, a loss of distinct identity, and several staff resignations. In spring 1985, university administration intervened, overturning the decision and restoring the station's alternative format. Many former staff members returned shortly thereafter.<ref>{{cite web |author=Erik Mathre |date=January 6, 1984 |title=President suggests study of KVSC-FM's troubles |url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3406&context=chron |work=St. Cloud State Chronicle |page=1}}</ref> During the summer of 1986, the university approved the creation of KVSC's first full-time paid staff position, replacing the student-led radio guild. Kevin Ridley, a graduate of SCSU's Mass Communications program, was appointed Station Manager and served as the station's liaison to university administration.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=St. Cloud State University |date=1992-03-31 |title=The Chronicle [March 31, 1992] |url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/chron/2928/ |journal=Chronicle}}</ref> 

In February 1991, KVSC again faced an existential thread. Following years of financial complications and coinciding with a proposed increase in broadcast power, St. Cloud State University considered eliminating the station's funding. In response, KVSC launched its first listener-funded membership drive -  a fundraising tradition that has continued biannually since.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=St. Cloud State University |date=1991-11-01 |title=The Chronicle [November 1, 1991] |url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/chron/2899/ |journal=Chronicle}}</ref> Amid the budget crisis, Ridley's employment was terminated on June 30, 1992.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=St. Cloud State University |date=1992-03-31 |title=The Chronicle [March 31, 1992] |url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/chron/2928/ |journal=Chronicle}}</ref> He was succeeded by Jo McMullen-Boyer, another Mass Communications graduate. With an outpouring of community support, KVSC secured the funding necessary to increase its signal strength to 16,500 watts on September 24, 1992.  

In September 1994, KVSC began broadcasting 24 hours a day. Five years later, in October 1999, the station launched its website, kvsc.org, with support from Cloudnet, a local internet service provider.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=St. Cloud State University |date=1999-10-28 |title=The Chronicle [October 28, 1999] |url=https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/chron/3394/ |journal=Chronicle}}</ref> McMullen-Boyer remained station manager until her retirement in April 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berg |first=Jenny |date=2023-07-27 |title=Jo McMullen-Boyer, cheerful and steadfast leader at SCSU's KVSC, dies at 54 |url=https://www.startribune.com/jo-mcmullen-boyer-cheerful-steadfast-leader-at-scsus-student-radio-station-kvsc-dies-at-54/600292683 |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=www.startribune.com |language=en}}</ref> The station is currently led by Dan Seeger, with Jim Gray serving as Director of Operations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dan Seeger named Station Manager of KVSC {{!}} St. Cloud State TODAY |url=https://today.stcloudstate.edu/2023/08/23/dan-seeger-named-station-manager-of-kvsc/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=today.stcloudstate.edu}}</ref>